Latest updates
Important information for communities around HMAS Cairns.
- 2020 – 2023 Ongoing Monitoring Report (PDF, 28.22 MB)
- 2020 – 2023 Ongoing Monitoring Report Factsheet (PDF, 1.13 MB)
Investigations and findings
In August 2020, Defence completed detailed investigations into per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) contamination on and around HMAS Cairns and the former World War II (WWII) Royal Australian Navy (RAN) Fuel Installation.
The investigations found that PFAS are mostly concentrated in areas where firefighting foams were previously disposed of, used or stored. These are called source areas. PFAS in these locations can be found in soil, and in water flowing through the source areas. PFAS moves in surface water flowing through drains and creeks, or groundwater that flows underground through soil and rock.
Human health risk assessment
As part of the investigations, Defence conducted a Human Health and Ecological Risk Assessment. This assessment measured the PFAS exposure risks to people living, working and undertaking recreational activities within the management area and to local plant and animal life.
The investigations found risks to people, plants and animals resulting from PFAS exposure associated with HMAS Cairns were low. More details on Defence’s risk assessment can be found in the Human Health and Ecological Risk Assessment factsheet located under Recent reports and factsheets.
Remediation and management
Defence’s management plan for HMAS Cairns and the former WWII RAN Fuel Installation was informed by the outcomes of the investigations and reflects the low risk identified.
The management plan recommended that monitoring of PFAS should continue. Treating or removing PFAS from the area was not recommended.
Ongoing monitoring
Monitoring of PFAS continues on and around HMAS Cairns through sampling of surface water, groundwater and sediment. Monitoring helps Defence understand if PFAS contamination is changing over time.
Results are published in an Ongoing Monitoring Report and factsheet. Defence will inform the community if changes to the management approach are required.
Monitoring results to date have found no significant changes to how PFAS are moving in the management area.
Recent reports and factsheets
Detailed reports from the PFAS Investigation and Management Program are available to download. To discuss these reports contact pfas.enquiry@defence.gov.au .
- PFAS Management Area Plan Factsheet (PDF 987 KB)
- PFAS Management Area Plan Report (PDF 4.4 MB)
- Ongoing Monitoring Plan Report (PDF 8 MB)
- HMAS Cairns Human Health and Ecological Risk Assessment Factsheet (PDF 1.2 MB)
- Former WWII Navy Fuel Installation Edge Hill Detail Site Investigation Addendum and Ecological Risk Assessment Factsheet (PDF 1.2 MB)
Document archive
The HMAS Cairns document archive contains information that Defence has published about the management of PFAS, including older community presentations, investigation reports, risk assessments and factsheets.
Some archive information has been superseded by the recent reports and factsheets.
Documents Archive - Cairns (PDF, 212.46 KB)
Last review: 6 March 2025